Former Virginia Transit CEO Sentenced to Federal Prison

Mark W. McGregor, 63, of Charles Town, WV, was sentenced Friday to 18 months in prison for bribery and was ordered to pay $380,000 in restitution, $380,000 in forfeiture, and a $50,000 fine, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

The long-time CEO of Purcellville-based Virginia Regional Transit pleaded guilty May 16 for his role in a bribery scheme that caused $380,000 in losses to the U.S. government.

VRT, a nonprofit that provides bus service in Loudoun and other Virginia jurisdictions, is funded by a combination of federal, state and local grants, including from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

McGregor was charged with engaging in a bribery scheme with co-conspirator Thomas Ahalt, then president of Mobile Auto Truck Repair, which provided automotive repair services to VRT.

According to evidence presented in the case, from January 2007 through December 2015, Mobile Auto submitted—and McGregor caused to be approved—false invoices for additional weekly labor charges. McGregor approved and VRT paid to Mobile Auto approximately $380,000 in fraudulent labor charges. A portion of the money VRT paid to Mobile Auto were federal program funds originating from the Federal Transit Administration. McGregor received regular kickback payments from Ahalt and others associated with Mobile Auto totaling half of the additional weekly labor charges. In total, McGregor received approximately $190,000 in kickback payments.

McGregor always thought he was untouchable. Suffered from “little man syndrome”. He finally got what he deserved and to this day still claims he never authorized Ahalt to submit false invoices. He always used the phrase “if it doesn’t pass the stink test don’t do it!” He should’ve followed his own advice.
When he gets out, if he can still sit down, maybe he can go back to work as a Trolley driver for VRT.
Time will tell if VRT will survive. All the old officials who were “protected under the old regime” have been escorted out of the building since March and the new ones have a lot to learn. Vote in a new Board of Directors and change the name.

I feel so sorry and sad for whatever pain that you have. May God forgive you for the hatred you have. Nobody really knows the truth, especially via the press. Go in peace and sleep well. I forgive you and I’m sure he does too. God Bless!

The information obtained for my postings are all on public court documents filed in the Federal Courthouse in Alexandria, Va. When an individual pleads guilty to a crime you are blaming the press for remarks that are untrue? As I stated before this is truly a sad ending to what once was a great career. McGregor got the punishment he deserved after using Federal and State money to supplement his already exorbitant salary which he never deserved.
There is no hatred in my statements. Only facts obtained legally from the U.S. Federal Court. Enjoy life in Arizona.

Not all of the information! Much of what you say indicated that you were directly involved in this whole set up. You clearly have a grinding interest! So sad your life is consumed with another person. My question is who are you that you hide behind a user name. Unless you were in the room you have no idea! You only get what they want you to see. The whole system is corrupt! God has great plans for my husband. We forgive you and anyone else who played a part. God bless you.

I was not going to comment any further and let this go but after reading this latest post of yours I have to shake my head in wonder. How can you call this a set up? McGregor set himself up at least 10 years ago by scheming with Ahalt on how they could make more money for their greedy selves. Many current and former employees from years ago were notified and interviewed by the Feds over many months. This was no set up. It was a fact finding mission. People were fed up with the crooked dealings and favoritism along with the control Ahalt had over McGregor. There were plenty of other “deals” that weren’t ever investigated since the biggest return was the bribery charge that was proven. So much you weren’t told by your “husband”. One has to wonder if any of the funds were used to help finance an Arizona property or a couple of Leesburg townhouses. If so those should be seized and auctioned off. Where did you think that extra money came from?
VaCarGuy68 hit the nail on the head. There were a whole lot more crooked deals that McGregor and Ahalt were in on that were not pursued.
I have no further comments and I hope when McGregor gets out in 18 months he will be a model citizen. I’m sure he’s ashamed and very sorry but bottom line is if he wasn’t caught he’d still be getting checks from Ahalt and acting like the big shot he thought he was.

He was a corrupt man who only cared about himself. He stole more then the government will ever know. He pled guilty to stop them from looking any farther into what he had done. They need to follow the money trail to see where it all went. Must be nice to have all that extra money and not pay taxes on it… And it would appear he hasn’t paid any back yet?